The state’s case against four lawmakers and others accused in a highly publicized arson trial seems to be crumbling, with prosecutors confronted by a dramatic shortage of credible witnesses and evidence after a key testimony deal backfired.
Prosecutors are struggling to assemble a viable trial strategy as many potential witnesses have either withdrawn from the case or declined to testify, citing a lack of knowledge regarding the alleged crime and the involvement of the accused, Oracle News Daily understands.
This crisis comes as the prosecution’s efforts to secure convictions appear increasingly tenuous.
Concerns have also emerged regarding the integrity of the evidence gathered by police, with allegations of torture, bribery, coercion, and deceit clouding the investigation process.
Legal insiders suggest that this perception has resulted in a significant erosion of confidence in the prosecution’s case, prompting calls from four leading opposition parties for an independent prosecutor to investigate claims of police misconduct pertaining to the arson inquiry.
It seems prosecutors initially built their case on the testimony of John Nyanti, a witness they had hoped would play a pivotal role.
However, developments took a turn when Inspector General Gregory Coleman stated that Nyanti lacked credibility following exploratory discussions regarding his potential testimony.
Nyanti, who claims he was coerced into testifying against former Speaker Koffa and other lawmakers, described being lured to Monrovia by family members under the promise of a lucrative deal.
Upon his arrival on June 6, 2025, he was swiftly taken into custody by the Liberian National Police and held for over 11 days at the Lifestyle Luxury Hotel, a luxury accommodation near the capital. During this time, he reported interactions with various police officers, government officials, and even an ambassador, with bribe offers reportedly ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 for his testimony.
Ultimately, Nyanti opted against providing false statements, leading to his arrest and subsequent court date on June 18, 2025. His protracted detention starkly violated the statutory maximum for holding a criminal suspect, which is set at 48 hours.
The case against the other accused individuals—Baccus Karpeh, Patrick Hallie, and Gabriel Fansieh—has faced similar impediments. All were arrested on June 4, 2025, and held for over five days before being released without charges after reportedly declining to implicate others supposedly involved in the alleged arson, which appears to be politically motivated given their affiliations in Montserrado County New Kru Town District Number 16.
Sections 12.40 and 12.41 of Liberia’s Penal Code criminalizes witness tampering and obstruction of justice, as key legal frameworks that may apply to the unfolding situation.
The future of the arson trial remains uncertain as the prosecution grapples with these revelations and mounting pressure from the opposition and public.
